Ghostly goings-on at Galloway Gazette
GHOSTLY goings-on at the Galloway Gazette have died down since the staff moved into their new offices on Victoria Street, but for years and years before the big move, strange occurrences in the company's former premises on Victoria Lane would send staff running for the door.
From footsteps to smells, furniture moving itself and doors locking on their own, staff were always aware of a presence around them when left alone in the building.
And the main culprit behind such incidents has long been suspected as a certain Mr Harry Flynn - whose headstone found its way into the building many years ago...
When the Gazette was printed in the town, the company had over 40 men on its books who all slogged away in various parts of the old building, which was once lit by candle light and many employees were required to stay late into the night to check on the printers.
One dark evening, two workers were getting ready to close up for the night - checking all the doors were locked and flames were out - when they heard a noise in the lane.
Curious, they stuck their heads out into the wind and rain to see what had happened and were astonished to find a head stone lying against the door to the cellar.
Upon inspection it was noted the stone was inscribed with the name 'Harry Flynn'.
The lads, unsure what to make of the situation, decided to drag the stone into the cellar corridor in the hope it would be claimed the following day.
But no one ever came back for it.
It was long suspected that the stone fell off a cart making its was up the lane and the driver never realised.
But whoever Harry Flynn was, his spirit has stayed in the building ever since.
Gazette photographer Peter Foster has had many a hairy moment when working late in the office.
Back in the days before digital photography, Peter would be in his dark room long past midnight making sure shots were ready for the paper the following day and he was generally left there alone.
He said: "Once, near midnight, I heard heavy, obvious footsteps outside the dark room and when I called out to whoever was there, there was no reply. I thought it was odd as there wasn't usually anyone else there at that time of night so I opened the door to see who it was and there was no one there. The doors were all locked."
Other staff members recall doors opening and closing on their own. One, who was there alone finishing off a few last-minute stories, said: "The heavy glass door which I had locked behind me banged loudly and I looked up to see who had come to help me but no one was there.
"I then heard something rattling around in the cellar so I opened the door and shouted down but again, nothing. I left the building quickly and the following day I asked all the keyholders who had been in. Everyone said they had been tucked up in bed.
"I've never worked in there alone since. I just felt a presence that couldn't be explained and I began to feel really, really uncomfortable."
Various reports of lights turning on and off themselves, voices, banging and electricity shutting off have also been made.
So whoever Harry Flynn may have been, he found a warm home with plenty of company in the paper's Victoria Lane offices.
Do you know who he could have been? Contact us on 01671 404766 or email emma.barlow@gallowaygazette.com with any information.
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Weather for Newton Stewart
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light rain
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